History of Education
Pre-Apartheid Education
There was a system of segregated schools for white and black children. White schools were free and white children were required to attend. There was not as much regulation for black schools; teachers and students were often absent, and there was not many resources. Ninety percent of black schools were mission schools.
Apartheid Education (Bantu Education Act)
Bantu Education was one of the most racist laws of apartheid. It was designed to "train and fit" Africans for their role in apartheid society. This role was laborer, worker, and servant only. H.F. Verwoerd, the mastermind behind apartheid, stated, "There is no place for [the African] in the European community above the level of certain forms of labour. It is of no avail for him to receive a training which has as its aim, absorption in the European community."
The Bantu Education Act demanded that all black schools register with the state, so that the control of education was removed from churches and other authorities. This ensured that black education would remain inferior to white education. Blacks had inferior facilities, teachers, and textbooks. Bantu Education led to greater resistance and protesting by black teachers, students, and parents because black Africans did not want their children to suffer because of Bantu Education. The Soweto Uprising was one of the biggest protests against Bantu Education. More than 500 people died, and 3,000 people were injured. Most of the deaths were caused by policeman.
Affects of Apartheid on Education Today
Education is not up to par in South Africa. Apartheid caused unfair education for students of different races. The Department of Education has a large and difficult task of creating equal education opportunities for all students, no matter the race.
There was a system of segregated schools for white and black children. White schools were free and white children were required to attend. There was not as much regulation for black schools; teachers and students were often absent, and there was not many resources. Ninety percent of black schools were mission schools.
Apartheid Education (Bantu Education Act)
Bantu Education was one of the most racist laws of apartheid. It was designed to "train and fit" Africans for their role in apartheid society. This role was laborer, worker, and servant only. H.F. Verwoerd, the mastermind behind apartheid, stated, "There is no place for [the African] in the European community above the level of certain forms of labour. It is of no avail for him to receive a training which has as its aim, absorption in the European community."
The Bantu Education Act demanded that all black schools register with the state, so that the control of education was removed from churches and other authorities. This ensured that black education would remain inferior to white education. Blacks had inferior facilities, teachers, and textbooks. Bantu Education led to greater resistance and protesting by black teachers, students, and parents because black Africans did not want their children to suffer because of Bantu Education. The Soweto Uprising was one of the biggest protests against Bantu Education. More than 500 people died, and 3,000 people were injured. Most of the deaths were caused by policeman.
Affects of Apartheid on Education Today
Education is not up to par in South Africa. Apartheid caused unfair education for students of different races. The Department of Education has a large and difficult task of creating equal education opportunities for all students, no matter the race.
This video discusses how apartheid has affected education in South Africa today.
Sources:
http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/bantu-education-policy
http://overcomingapartheid.msu.edu/sidebar.php?id=3
http://countrystudies.us/south-africa/56.htm
http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/bantu-education-policy
http://overcomingapartheid.msu.edu/sidebar.php?id=3
http://countrystudies.us/south-africa/56.htm